Puri: No television channel will be allowed for the live coverage of the Snana Yatra rituals of Lord Jagannath at Puri Srimandir this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, said the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.
The I&PR Department has been urged to make necessary arrangements for live telecast and webcast of Snana Yatra rituals. The feed of live telecast will be shared with all channels and individual channels will not be allowed to cover the event, informed Chief Administrator of SJTA Dr. Krishan Kumar.
The decision has been taken in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown stipulations.
Entry of general public to the Jagannath Temple for darshan has also been restricted.
The SJTA Chief Administrator said that social distancing guidelines also needs to be followed and there will also be a number of restrictions in front of temple to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 management guidelines.
The Snana Yatra rituals of the Trinity will be performed inside the temple premises at the Snana Mandapa on June 5.
Since years it has been a general practice that TV broadcasters do Live Telecast of Snana Yatra on their respective channels, which is very popular amongst devotees of the Lord Jagannath. But this year, they will be restricted to do the coverage of the festival.